Much-needed rain is expected to fall across the Valley over the next few days. 

The month of February is almost two-thirds of the way through, and the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport has only received 0.15” of liquid-equivalent precipitation since the start of the month. As early-morning showers became widespread, this was the first time the Valley had seen areawide rain in less than a month.

The widespread rain will continue for fragments of the day today. After a brief dry period, showers will return around midday. We can’t rule out the chance for an isolated rumble of thunder. Isolated pockets could get up to a half-inch of rain accumulation. We’ll quickly lose rain after about 2 PM, and could even get a few peeks of sun before the day ends. Temperatures during the day will be very mild, with highs close to 60, over 20 degrees above average.  

After another mild night with the chance for fog, we’ll open up the day on Thursday rather dry. Mainly cloudy skies will take us through the majority of the day before another chance for rain will set up. As a low-pressure system moves in from the southwest, some showers are possible as the day closes. These showers could turn heavy overnight, with even the possibility of a rumble of thunder or two later on.

The system has been flagged as a level ? severe risk in SW OH, Indiana, and Illinois, the first serious threat of severe weather this calendar year.

As the rain works past the Valley, cold air will slowly fill in the gaps. After a dry Friday afternoon with highs in the upper 50s, highs on Saturday will only reach the low-to-mid 40s, while partly cloudy. These temperatures, while still above average, are much closer to seasonable levels for this time of year.

By Saturday night, temperatures drop below freezing, and moisture will be conducive for snow to fall. The chance for flakes won’t increase until late overnight, but the likelihood for snow to fall during the day on Sunday is increasing. While the snow won’t be coming from a major winter storm we’ll have to turn our attention to, it may be enough to necessitate the shovels. Timing and specifics are still too early at this point.

We’re anticipating some lingering snow to open the week, aided by a much-thawed Lake Erie. High temperatures will still be low, around 30 degrees.

After the snow comes to a close, we’ll remain cold on Tuesday. High temperatures will similarly be close to 30 degrees, though it won’t be as breezy.

Though the seven-day forecast will close chilly, we’re expecting temperatures to rebound back above average for the final week of February.